By Kantarawaddy Times
Activist organizations working on refugee issues along the Thai-Myanmar border have jointly called on the Thai government to provide employment opportunities for Myanmar refugees who have lived in border camps for decades.
During meetings held last week with Thailand’s national security authorities, advocacy groups requested that refugees be allowed to engage in daily-wage work, sanitation services, agriculture, handicrafts, industrial labor, and construction-related jobs to help sustain their livelihoods, according to an activist who spoke to Kantarawaddy Times on condition of anonymity.
“They told us they would consider it. They said they understand the importance of giving them access to jobs. But under current circumstances, it’s not yet feasible. What they meant is—it will take time. They said they’ll work on it, but not immediately. One of the reasons is that Thailand’s political landscape is still somewhat unstable at the moment,” the activist said.
Following the U.S. government’s decision to halt international aid earlier this year, international humanitarian assistance for refugee camps along the border is expected to be suspended by July 31, 2025. This looming suspension has prompted advocacy groups to push for employment alternatives for camp residents.
Because Thai domestic law does not legally recognize refugee status, residents explained that, refugees living in camps along the border are not allowed to work outside or even move freely beyond the camp boundaries, residents explained.
A resident of Karenni Refugee Camp 2 expressed concern that, if international aid is cut off, it could lead to serious problems within the camps.
“The main issue is livelihood—food, shelter, and survival. Without that, domestic issues will follow,” he said.
There are currently nine refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, hosting a total of 107,502 people, although official records list only 90,759 refugees. Advocacy groups are also calling on the Thai authorities to update and formalize the official refugee population data.
According to the activists, the majority of those who have fled to the Thai border since 1948, due to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, are from the Karen and Karenni states.
